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July 26, 1955 s. OTANI COMBINED WINDOW STAND AND SEAT ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 4, 1952 United States Patent 0 QQMB'INED WINDIDQVV" TAND AND SEAT ASEMIBLY Shozabnro Qtani, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 4, I952, Serial' No. 291,640

10 Claims. (El. 304-24) The present invention relates to. a novel protective device for use by workmen on the exterior of windows. and the like and more particularly to a novel combined stand and seat with a protective guard. whereby workmen or window washers on the exterior of a window of a building are assured optimum protection in eithera sitting or standing position.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a novel protective device adapted. to be supported or mounted upon a window sill and projecting to the exterior of a window opening for supporting a workman thereat. either in. standing or sitting position.

Another object of the 'presentinvention is the provision. of a novel combination Window stand and seat assembly for sustaining the Weight of a workman together with his tools or other equipment when working at the exterior of the. building, said assembly being so constructed and arranged that it may be quickly and conveniently applied to a window sill without in any way matting, the finish thereof and withoutinterlocking engagement with any overhang on the sill.

With the equipment now available for use by workmen at the exterior of a building, accidents are quite prevclient as the workman has no secure base or support upon which he may stand or be seated while working; at the exterior of the window, or requires the use of a special belt or harness to' be attached to ahook or other projection at. the opposite sides of the window frame. As: frequently happens, such hooks rust or weaken or the frame. inwhich they are mounted deteriorates andthe hook pulls loose or breaks resulting in a fatal or serious accident to the workman.

In prior devices where a. scaffold. or platform is employed. and retained in interlocking engagement with an overhang on the window sill, weight on the: scaffold or platform tendsto tilt the part interlocked or attachedto the sill with the resulting danger of detachment or breakage of the interengaging parts. As any accidentto the platform or scaffold or a loosening or breakage of a. portion of the sill at the elevation at which such devices are used would be apt to catapult the Workman to the street or ground below and generally result in a fatal. accident, it is important that any device for the purpose intended and assuring safety' to the. workman, mustbe extremely rigid and stable so as to be incapable of tilting movement when the weight of the workman. andhis equipment are disposed on the platform at the exterior of the window.

The present invention, obviates the objections of prior devices in that the weight of the workman or windowwasher and his equipment when supported upon the pres,- ent novel combined window stand and seat assembly at the exterior of the building, results in a downward force that maintains the assembly more securely and. innowise tends to tilt'the support or tends to cause disengagement of the assembly from the window sill' upon which it' is mounted.

Another important object of the present invention is 2; theprovisionof a novel supporting platform that may be. readily and easily mounted upon the window sill and. as. readily disengaged therefrom, whereby the present novel. assembly is admirably adapted for use in washing or repairing windows, or the encompassing window frame.

fromeither a standing or sitting position.

The present invention further comprehends the provision of a novel portable and adjustable supporting devicefor use by window washers. and other workmen at. the. exterior of a window, the device being readily ad.

justable to window sills of different widths and contours.

Such adjustment is quickly and? easily accomplished by a screw or threaded rod from the interior. of the window.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel collapsible window platform of relatively light weight combining, a stand and seat fora and capabilities as, will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:- Figure l is a view in. sideor end elevation of. the

combined window stand and seat assembly mounted uponthe sill of a window opening.

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation thereof viewed from. the interior'of the window.

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical cross section taken in a. plane represented by the line 3-3 of Fig. 1..

Fig. 4: is a top plan view of the novel assembly with the. guard elevated to accommodate a workman. in stand.- ing position.

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig; 6 is a View in side or end elevation of the assembly with the upright guard at the. exterior of the assembl'y'collapsed or folded inwardly to provide a seat for the workman. In this collapsed or folded condition, the assembly may conveniently be set on end on the floor for ready use on the next or adjacent window or' for storage when not in use.

Fig. 7 is a top: plan view of the folded or collapsed assembly of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged top plan view of a portion'of the assembly of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of a portion of the assembly of Fig. 5'.

Figs. 10; 1'1 and 12 are enlarged views in horizontal cross section taken in planes represented by the lines 1010, 11-11 and 12-12, respectively, of Fig. 1, and

viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings and to the novel embodiment therein shown as illustrative of the present invention, the present novel window stand and seat assembly comprises a base support adapted to be mounted upon the sill 10 of a window frame This base support includes spaced transverse bars'11 and 12 each having depending flanges 1'3 and 13, respectively, providing an angle member at each end towhich is affixed by rivets or other attaching means a strip of felt or other flexible or resilient covering 14 adapted to abut spaced surfaces at the interior I5 and exterior '16 of the sill 10. This felt or other covering of flexible or resilient material protects the surface finish of the sill against, which it bears, and by providing these transverse members or bars 11' and 12' with interrupted flanges in the manner disclosed, the flanged ends abut'or Fatented. July 26,. 1.955.

engage and substantially conform to the outer and inner edges of the sill regardless of whether these edges are straight, curved or otherwise contoured.

The opposite ends of the front or inner transverse member 11 are rigidly affixed to the underside of the forward ends of a pair of longitudinally extending angle members forming side rails 17 and 18, and the end flanges 13 of the member 11 are each provided with a U-shaped vertically opening bracket 19 adapted to slidably receive an adjustably mounted upright or bar 21. The upright or bar 21 carries adjacent its lower end an adjustable pad or shoe 22 mounted upon and adjusted by means of a set screw 23 threaded into the lower end of each upright or bar 21. Each bracket 19 is also provided with a set screw 24 for retaining these uprights or bars in their adjusted vertical position in which the pad or shoe 22 of each is spaced a desired distance below the adjacent anchoring flange 15. To prevent these uprights or bars from becoming accidentally disengaged, the upper end 25 thereof is bent outwardly or forwardly to prevent it from dropping through the bracket 19.

A transverse but adjustable bar or elongated plate 26 spans the base flange 27 of the longitudinally extending angle members forming the side rails 17 and 18 and is provided with a threaded or tapped block 28 and an upstanding flange 29 formed on or rigidly secured thereto and internally threaded to receive an elongated screw or threaded rod 31. The forward end of the screw or threaded rod is provided with a collar 31 pinned thereto and received between spaced arms of a bracket 32 secured onto the upper surface of the transverse bar 11. Thus by rotating the screw 31 in one direction by means of the crank arm 33 and handle 33 the transverse, adjustable bar or plate 26 is movable lengthwise over the base flange 27 of the side rails 17 and 18 causing the transverse bar 12 to be movable toward or away from the bar 11 and adjust their span for window sills of different widths.

To adjust the transverse bar 12 by the screw or threaded rod 31, the adjustable bar or plate 26 is provided with a pair of spaced, upstanding flanges 34 to each of which is rigidly connected an L-shaped bracket 35 with the longer leg 36 of each bracket extending rearwardly or outwardly, and at the end thereof is rigidly aflixed or secured the upper end of an inclined sliding bar 37 projecting through a slot 38 in the base flange 39 of a side rail 41 of a stand 42. This slot closely conforms to the cross section of the sliding bar 37 and adjacent to this slot is aflixed one end of the transverse bar 12. Thus the transverse bar 12 bridges the forward or inner end of the stand 42 for supporting the Workman when in a standing position.

The stand 42 comprises the transverse bar 12 seating upon the outer edge of the window sill at 16 (see Figs. 1 and 5), a transverse angle bar 44 at the rear or outer end of the assembly and cross slats or strip 45 upon which the workman stands. The angle bar 44 supports a vertically adjustable guard 46 including a pair of spaced uprights 47 in the form of upstanding angle members each rigidly secured to the angle bar 44 and each provided with an elongated vertically arranged slot 48 adapted to receive a bolt or pivot pin 49 carried on the lower end of an upright 51 also in the form of an angle bar. A cross plate 52 of any suitable width bridges or spans the uprights 51 and is rigidly aflixed thereto at its opposite ends, whereby to provide a protective backing when the guard is raised to protect the workman in standing position and when the guard is folded down to a substantially horizontal plane forms a seat for the workman.

To adjust the protective guard to a desired height, it further includes a frame comprising spaced uprights 53 of angular conformation telescopically received in the complementary uprights 51 and provided with a cross brace or bar 54 bridging the upper ends of the uprights 53 and a lower cross brace or bar 55 bridging the lower ends of the uprights 53 and provided with a flange 56 having an inturned end adapted to overlap and provide sliding engagement with the uprights 51. A U-shaped bracket 57 secured to and adjacent the upper ends of the uprights 51 provides a stop against which the flange 56 abuts when the frame 56 with its spaced uprights 53 is moved to its fully elevated position. A set screw 58 in each bracket 57 is adapted to engage a flange of its upright 53 to lock this upright in its desired elevated position.

Pivotally mounted and foldable links or arms 51 and 61 of a brace are adapted to retain the guard in elevated upright position upon the pin or bolt 49 about which the guard pivots to its upright or folded position. These links or arms 59 and 61 when in extended and aligned position (see Fig. l) are retained in that position and prevented from moving over center by a notch 62 formed in the link or arm 59 and a laterally extending lip or projection 63 on the arm or link 61 adapted to be received in the notch 62 and limit the pivotal movement of the links or arms about their connecting pivot 64. The other end of the link or arm 59 is pivotally connected at 65 to the upright 51 and the other end of the link or arm 61 is pivotally connected at 66 to a U-shaped stirrup 67,

; the latter being pivotally yet securely connected at its inner end to the leg 36 of the L-shaped bracket 35 and with its outer end free to loosely receive and support the side rails 17 and 18.

This U-shaped stirrup 67 is of extreme importance in that it receives and supports the free ends of the side rails 17 and 18 and prevents them from spreading sidewise, and also maintains these side rails in a straight and horizontal plane elevated above and spaced from the upper surface of the sill 10 (see Figs. 1 and 5). Through the disclosed connection of the stirrup 67 with the transverse bar or plate 26, the ends of this bar or plate are held firmly against the flanges 27 of the side rail 17 and 18 whereby a downward thrust is applied to the bar or plate 26. The weight of the workman when standing or leaning against the guard causes a pulling action tilting the stirrups to the position shown in Fig. 9, whereby this downward force is enhanced or amplified and the platform is prevented from tilting.

When the guard 46 is to be lowered by being collapsed or folded inwardly, the frame 50 including the uprights 53 is first releasted by unscrewing the set screws 58 and thereby permitting these uprights to telescope within the uprights 51 and the frame 50 to be lowered. Next the links or arms 59 and 61 are released and folded to permit the entire guard assembly 46 to be collapsed or folded inwardly to the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In this lowered position the frame, including the uprights 53 and the cross braces 54 and 55, is moved outwardly until the edge of the cross brace 55 is received in one set of aligned slots or notches 68 in the spaced, fixed uprights 47 whereupon one edge of the cross brace 54 of this frame is adapted to seat behind a lug or projection 69 on each of the links or arms 59 and the other edge is adapted to receive a locking catch or latch member 70 carried on each of the arms or links 61.

When the guard 46 and frame are thus locked in lowered position, they form a seat for the workman and facilitate removal of the assembly from the window opening as this locking arrangement maintains the entire assembly collapsed and made compact for easy removal and for easy storage (see Figs. 6 and 7). When ready for removal, the crank need not be operated to spread the transverse angle bars 11 and 12 for the reason that upon lifting the outer or left hand end of the assembly as shown in Fig. 6, the side rails 41 are adapted to freely pivot about the pivot pins 49 and slide downwardly over the inclined bars 37 to the dotted line position, thereby causing the bar 12 to readily disengage and pull away from its abutting position against the corner 16 of the sill 10. This is permitted by clearance in the slots 38 through which the inclined bars 37 slide. If the asse nbly is to be stored, the workman may stand it on end on theflxed uprights 47, and'the handle 33 may be folded to the dotted line position of Fig. 6.

When the assembly is being, mounted in a window opening and assuming it is in its collapsed or folded relation as in Fig; 6, the outer end with its fixed uprights 47 is moved over the sill to the exterior of the window opening by means of rollers 71' rotatably mounted at the lower end of each of the sliding bars 37 at the opposite sides of the assembly. These rollers are preferably covered with a tire 71 of rubber or any suitable flexible or resilient material (Fig. 8') which will not mar the surface finish of the sill orsurface over which they roll. Then with the flexible or resilient covering 14- on the flanges 13' of the outer transverse member 12 seating against the outer edge 16 of the sill 10, the handle 33 at the inner side of the assembly is rotated to turn the screw or threaded rod 31" whereby to adjust the space between the flanges l3 and 13 on the outer and inner transverse members 12 and 11, respectively, so that the covering 14 on the flanges 1 3 of the inner transverse member 1]. closely contacts the inner edge 15 of the sill 10'. At such time the pads or shoes 22 may be adjusted vertically and laterally to contact the inner face of the sill at a point spaced below the flanges 13.

Actually, these pads or shoes 22' are not essential as the flanges 13 and 13' on the transverse membersv 11 and 12, respectively, tightly hug the inner and outer edges of the sill it) when mounted in position, and when the weight of the workman and his tools or equipment are applied to the exterior of the assembly at the outside of the window and such workman either stands or leans against the guard, such weight in nowise tends to tilt and lift the inner transverse member 11. from engagement with the sill, but rather such weight through the inclined sliding bars 37, the pulling force exerted by the arms 59 and 61 connected to the stirrups 67 at each side of the platform, and the mounting and association of the stirrups 67 and the bars 37 with the component parts of the assembly whereby these stirrups engage the underside of the side rails 17 and 18 and the bars 37 project through the slots 38 inthe flanges 39 of the side rails 41 and rest against the outer transverse member 12 and the flanges 39 bear against the bars 37, results in a vertical or downward force against the plate 26 and side rails 17 and 18 that tightly clamps and retains the assembly to the window sill.

The entire assembly is preferably made of a relatively light weight but inherently strong metal so that it may be easily carried about in collapsed condition and readily opened and arranged in operative position on the window sill. By reason of its construction and arrangement the platform or stand and the remainder of the assembly are extremely strong and sustain the weight of any workman and the materials, tools and equipment which he requires. To facilitate the hanging of a bucket or other equipment, the ends of the cross brace or bar 54 of the guard frame may be notched at 73 (Fig. 2).

By reason of the construction and arrangement of the inclined bars 37 and the stirrups or substantially U- shaped members 67 and their manner of connection with the stand 42 carrying the transverse bar 12 at the exterior of the sill and the arms or links 59 and 61, and the manner in which these inclined bars 37 extend through the slots 38 and are connected to brackets 35, stirrups 67 and the transverse bar or plate 26 adjustably carried on the side rails 17 and 18, any weight applied to the stand does not affect the connection between the transverse bars 11 and 12 and the sill. Rather such weight more firmly anchors the assembly to the sill.

The transverse bar 12 is not only laterally but is also vertically adjustable to accommodate the sills of dilferent contours and elevations at the exterior of the building, whereby the assembly is readily adjustable and adaptable for'tnounting onsills in' which theh'eight of the risers at the interior of the window varies considerably from the elevation at the exterior.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1'. Mechanism for supporting a workman atthe ex terior of a window opening, comprising an adjustable support adapted to be mounted upon the window sillat the inner and outer edges thereof and including atrans verse member adapted to be supported on theinner edgeof the sill, side rails aflixed at one end to the transverse. member and free at their other end, anadjustable cross bar slidably mounted on" the side rails, a second transverse member adapted to be supported on the outer edge of the sill, a stand for sustaining the weight of a wonkman thereon having side rails connected at one end to said second transverse member and with each side rail provided with a slot, and aninclined sliding bar exending' adapted to seat upon the inner edge of the sill, a trans v verse bar having its ends slidably mounted on said side rails, a stand for supporting a workman at the exterior of the window opening and provided with across member provided with depending end flanges adapted to seat upon the outer edge of the sill, and means for adjustably connecting the stand to said transverse bar including an outwardly and downwardly inclined bar at each side of said frame and each bar secured at one end to the trans versebar and bearing against the cross member at the outer edge of the sill whereby a downward force is applied that maintains the cross members anchored to the window sill.

3; Mechanism for supporting aworkman at the exterior of a window opening, said mechanism comprising a frame mounted upon the sill and including side rails and an inner cross member provided with depending end flanges adapted to seat upon the inner edge of the sill, a transverse bar having its ends slidably mounted on said side rails, a stand for supporting a' workman at the exterior of the window opening and provided with an outer cross member having depending end flanges adapted to seat upon the outer edge of the sill, side rails for said stand connected to said outer cross member, a slot in each of the last mentioned side rails adjacent the outer cross member, an inclined bar slidably and conformably received in each of said slots with the lower end free, the upper end secured to the transverse bar and with the bar intermediate its length bearing against the outer cross member, and means for adjusting the transverse bar and moving the outer cross bar relative to the inner cross bar to adjust the space therebetween to accommodate sills of different widths.

4. In a combined stand and seat assembly for supporting a workman at the exterior of a window opening, a frame extending across the sill and including spaced side rails and an end rail, said end rail having depending spaced flanges adapted to seat upon the inner edge of the sill, a stand at the exterior of the window opening and including side rails and an end rail having depending spaced flanges adapted to seat upon the outer edge of the sill, and interconnecting means between the stand and frame for adjust-ing the spacing of said end rails and for retaining these end rails anchored onto the window sill, said means including an adjustably mounted transverse bar bridging the frame and an outwardly and' downwardly inclined bar at each side of said frame with each bar secured at one end to the transverse barand bearing against the depending spaced flanges.

5. In a combined stand and seat assembly for supporting a workman at the exterior of a window opening, a frame extending across the sill and including spaced side rails provided with an inturned flange, an end rail bridging one end of the side rails and having spaced, depending flanges for anchoring onto the inner edge of the sill, a stand and seat adapted to project to the exterior of the window opening and including side rails and an end rail bridging one end of the last mentioned side rails and provided with spaced, depending flanges for anchoring the stand onto the outer edge of the sill, means for mounting the end rail of the stand for vertical adjustment, a transverse bar bridging the inturned flanges, means for adjustably connecting said transverse bar to the frame, and means for adjustably connecting said transverse bar to the stand, including an outwardly and downwardly inclined bar at each side of said frame with each bar se cured at one end to said transverse bar and bearing against the depending flanges whereby said assembly is adjustable for anchoring onto sills of different widths and contours and when anchored to the sill it is held against tipping when the stand or seat is occupied by a workman.

6. Mechanism for supporting a workman at the exterior of a window opening, comprising an adjustable support adapted to be mounted upon the window sill at the inner and outer edges thereof and including a transverse member adapted to be supported on the inner edge of the sill, side rails affixed at one end to the transverse member and free at their other end, an adjustable cross bar slidably mounted on the side rails, a second transverse member adapted to be supported on the outer edge of the sill, spaced brackets aflixed to the adjustable cross bar, a stirrup pivotally mounted on each bracket and adapted to support the free end of the adjacent side rail, a stand for sustaining the weight of a workman thereon having side rails connected at one end to said second transverse member and with each side rail provided with a slot, and an inclined sliding bar extending through and movable relative to each side rail and the stand, the lower end of each bar being free and thereat carrying a roller and the upper end being connected to one of said brackets on the adjustable cross bar with the edge of said sliding bar intermediate its ends bearing against the second transverse member, whereby said stand is maintained fixed upon the window sill.

7. Mechanism for supporting a workman at the exterior of a window opening, comprising an adjustable support adapted to be mounted upon the window sill at the inner and outer edges thereof and including a transverse member adapted to be supported on the inner edge of the sill, side rails aflixed at one end to the transverse member and free at their other end, an adjustable cross bar slidably mounted on the side rails, a second transverse member adapted to be supported on the outer edge of the sill, spaced brackets aflixed to the adjustable cross bar, a stirrup pivotally mounted on each bracket wd adapted to support the free end of the adjacent side rail, a combined stand and seat for sustaining the weight of a .we rkman in sitting or standing position and provided with a vertically adjustable guard against which the workman may lean when in standing position and side rails connected at one end to said second transverse member, each of said last mentioned side rails being provided with a slot, an inclined sliding bar extending through each slot and movable relative to each of said last mentioned side rails, the lower end of each bar being free and thereat carrying a roller and the upper end being connected to one of said brackets on the adjustable cross bar with the edge of said sliding bar intermediate its ends bearing against the second transverse member, whereby said stand is maintained fixed upon the window sill and adjustable vertically and longitudinally to adapt it to sills of varying width and depth.

8. Mechanism for supporting a workman at the exterior of a window opening, said mechanism comprising a frame mounted upon the sill and including side rails and a cross member connecting the inner ends of the side rails and adapted to seat upon the inner edge of the sill, a transverse bar having its ends slidably and adjustably mounted on said side rails intermediate their ends, a bracket mounted on said transverse bar adjaceant each side rail, a substantially U-shaped member pivotally mounted on each bracket and adapted to freely support the outer ends of the side rails, a stand for supporting a workman at the exterior of the window opening and provided with an outer cross member adapted to seat upon the outer edge of the sill, side rails for said stand connected to said outer cross member, a slot in each of the last mentioned side rails adjacent the outer cross member, and inclined bar slidably and conformably received in each of said slots with its upper end rigidly connected to a bracket and its lower end free, and a roller carried on the lower end of each inclined bar.

9, Mechanism for supporting a workman at the exterior of a window opening, said mechanism comprising a frame mounted upon the sill and including side rails and a cross member connecting the inner ends or" the side rails and adapted to seat upon the inner edge of the sill, a transverse bar having its ends slidably and adjustably mounted on said side rails intermediate their ends, a bracket mounted on said transverse bar adjacent each side rail, a substantially U-shaped member pivotally mounted on each bracket and adapted to freely support the outer ends of the side rails, a stand for supporting a workman at the exterior of the window opening and provided with an outer cross member adapted to seat upon the outer edge of the sill, side rails for said stand connected to said outer cross member, a slot in each of the last mentioned side rails adjacent the outer cross member, an inclined bar slidably and conformably received in each of said slots with its upper end rigidly connected to a bracket and its lower end free, a roller carried on the lower end of each inclined bar, the bar intermediate its length bearing against the outer cross member, and means for adjusting the transverse bar and spacing apart the inner and outer cross members to adjust the spacing therebetween laterally and vertically to accommodate window sills of varying widths and heights between the outer and inner edges.

10. In a combined stand and seat assembly for supporting a workman at the exterior of a window opening, a frame extending across the sill and including spaced q side rails and an end rail, said end rail having depending spaced flanges adapted to seat upon the inner edge of the sill, a stand at the exterior of the window opening and including side rails and an end rail having depending spaced flanges adapted to seat upon the outer edge of the sill, and interconnecting members on the stand and frame for adjusting the spacing of the end rails vertically and laterally to accommodate window sills of varying widths and contours, said members including a transverse bar adjustably carried on the frame and outwardly and downwardly inclined bars connected to the transverse bar and bearing against and maintaining the depending spaced flanges against the outer edge of the sill.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS 1,558,725 Upham Oct. 27, 1925 1,711,354 King Apr. 30, 1929 1,721,179 Duket July 16, 1929 2,219,642 Whiteman Oct. 29, 1940 2,285,901 Chenoweth June 9, 1942 

